The Virginia Gazette

PARIS. November 24. Letters from Algiers advise that on the 29th of September last a galliot belonging to that Regency brought there a sailor, a cabin boy, a novice, and a woman passenger, who were on board the Modeste frigate that was lost some time ago in the Mediterranean. The account these people gave of that ship's taking fire is agreeable to the deposition made by Captain Gayet. The mainmast and the boltsprit being burnt at bottom fell into the sea, and served for a refuge to those who could get upon them. The Captain and 34 more took to the mainmast, and 15 others to the boltsprit, among whom were the four persons above mentioned. They continued floating for six days, without clothes or provisions, and subsisted only upon their own urine, and some sea water. Ten of these unhappy people died one after another, and the remaining five were taken the 6th day by an Algerine galliot, the Captain of which treated them with the greatest humanity. He sent in quest of these upon the mainmast, and about two miles off the mast was found, but nobody upon it. One of the five persons brought to Algiers died two days after.